President Bola Tinubu has instructed security chiefs to enforce his previous directive aimed at achieving lasting peace and security in Benue State, according to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Onanuga stated that Tinubu reiterated his directive following the recent spate of reprisal attacks that resulted in numerous fatalities in Benue State.
Onanuga noted that on the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police, and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.
Tinubu has also tasked Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia with organizing reconciliation meetings and dialogue between the warring parties to bring an end to the bloodshed and establish lasting peace and harmonious coexistence among farmers, herders, and communities.
The president condemned the killings and bloodshed, labelling them inhumane and counterproductive to progress, and urged community and political leaders in conflict zones to refrain from making incendiary statements that could exacerbate tensions.
He said: “The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”
